
INDIANAPOLIS: 



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Ulaniifeftwriiig m\)i Olonimcrrial 



K P^SOXXJtiCES ^4lN£> AVANTS. 




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A^ REFORT 



THE BOARD OF TRADE 



Manufacturing ^btantnjts, ^iMsptds anb Mants 



CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS; 



TOGETHER WITH THE 



CIRCULAR OF THE BOARD OF TRADE. 



INDIANAPOLIS: 

INDIANAPOLIS JOUBNAL COMPANY, PRINTERS. 
18 57. 



INDIANAPOLIS: 



glitnwfattwrittn |nttrtsts, Mants, anir iiuiliim, 



At a late meeting of the Board of Trade of the City of Indi- 
anapolis, the special Committee on Manufactures submitted the 
following report, which was read and referred back to the Com- 
mittee, with instructions to request its publication in the city papers ; 
and also to cause to be printed two thousand copies in pamphlet 
form, for distribution. 

REPORT: 

Your Committee, appointed at the last meeting of the Board of 
Trade, to whom was referred a resolution, requesting information 
with regard to such additional branches of Manufacture as may be 
profitably and successfully established in this City, would submit 
the following report: 

For the purpose of obtaining advice from the best informed 
sources, your Committee addressed a circular to a number of the 
leading Manufacturers and business men of the City, soliciting 
their co-operation, and are under obligations to several of these 
gentlemen for important facts and suggestions. 

The advantages possessed by Indianapolis for profitable invest- 
ment of capital and labor, in every department of industry, bear 
favorable comparison with those of any other City in the West. 
Although our present Manufactures are rapidly becoming extended, 
and new ones introduced, still our market is not, and cannot be 



INDIANAPOLIS: ITS MANUFACTUKING INTERESTS, 



glutted, by too abundant production in any of the Mechanic Arts. 
A population of at least three millions, residing in Indiana and 
adjoining States, look to us for the supply of many articles of 
every day use, and already the Manufactures of Indianapolis are 
beginning to add comfort to the homes, and productiveness to the 
farms of settlers, in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. 

Indianapolis has peculiar facilities for becoming a large manu- 
facturing City. No other Capital City on the continent is so much 
a centre as our own. 

It is at once the Commercial Metropolis, largest City, and geo- 
grapliical centre of a State containing twenty-two million acres of 
productive land, four hundred million dollars in taxable property, 
and one million four hundred thousand inhabitants. 

Indianapolis is "the place where the ways meet," and is more a 
centre of transit by Railroads than any other inland town in the 
world. 

All the Political, Judicial, Social, Religious, Educational, Mone- 
tary, Commercial, and Industrial Interests of the State centre here. 
Americans are proverbially a gregarious people, and Indiana is by 
no means behind her sister States in all those movements that are 
carried on by associated action. Owing to the facility of access to 
this City, State conventions, in the interest of the various societies 
and parties, are held here, almost weekly, during the year. It is 
estimated that not less than a quarter of a million visitors assem- 
bled in Indianapolis during the last year to attend these gatherings. 
Even the elements are propitious to us. We do not depend for 
subsistence on a dry or frozen river; and, being situated in a mild 
"mediterranean region," our Railroads are not obstructed by snow 
or ice ; and our markets are abundantly and cheaply supplied, from 
every point of the compass, with the earliest and the latest fruits, 
vegetables and other products of the season. Even during the late 
long winter of famine to the poor of other Cities, where the price of 
fuel was starvation^ the value of wood, coal, and provisions remained 
here at about the summer rates; and thousands of bushels of coal 
were daily sent by our citizens to the ice-bound markets of Cincin- 
nati, Louisville and other river towns. 

Indianapolis is handsomely laid out: the streets, varying from 
ninety to one hundred and twenty feet in width, are tastefully em- 



WANTS, AND FACILITIES. 



bellished with forest and other ornamental trees. Diagonal avenues 
afford easy access to every section of the city. 

More than one thousand houses, including several first class 
business blocks, were built in this City last year ; and the prospect 
is that building will be largely extended the present season. 

Wealth is more equally distributed than is usual in cities of this 
size, and a large majority of our mechanics, business men and 
laborers have a real estate interest in the City. The houses are 
the koines, and not simply the tenements of the people. 

In addition to the above, we have in abundance all the direct 
aids that are needed to make manufactories profitable. The Cen- 
tral Canal and Fall Creek afford available water power sufficient 
for one hundred additional run of stone ; and these two streams, 
together with White River, offer a convenient and abundant supply 
of water for those branches of manufacture that are not in need of 
water power. Wood is cheap and abundant. Inexhaustible beds of 
coal, quarries of stone, and mines of iron ore, each of excellent qual- 
ity, are opened within two or three hours' ride of the City. Coal 
can be furnished, delivered at from 8 to 12 cents a bushel, and con- 
tracts for coal can be made for from two to three dollars a ton. 

We would now call attention to such branches of manufacture 
as are most needed, and will pay the best profits on the investment. 

MANUFACTURES OF IRON. 

1. A Rolling Mill, for the manufacture of Railroad Iron, is 
imperatively needed, and would yield at once a handsome return. 
Sixteen hundred miles of Railroad are now in active operation in 
Indiana, aside from switches and side tracks. One hundred tons 
to the mile would give one hundred and sixty thousand tons of 
railroad iron in use in the State. All of this iron must be renewed 
about every ten years. This will require an average of sixteen 
thousand tons of new rail annually. 

The present freight on this amount to and from the nearest mill 
cannot be less than $8.00 a ton, making the sum of $128,000 a 
year. This amount may be considered a clear saving, above ordi- 
nary profits, to a mill located at Indianapolis, or to the Railroad 
interests in the State. 



INDIANAPOLIS: ITS MANUFACTURING INTERESTS, 



A mill established here would not, however, be limited to sup- 
plying the wants of Indiana. Four thousand miles of Railroad in 
this and other Western States, would find the cheapest market 
for the exchange and renewal of iron here, and a well conducted 
mill would be called on to renew not less than forty thousand 
tons of old iron annually. 

Another important consideration in favor of a Rolling Mill at 
this point is, that it would require but a small amount of raw ma- 
terial to keep up a constant supply of the manufactured iron, as 
the old iron brought to the mill to be worked over would be suffi- 
cient, with the exception of waste, or the amount required for new 
roads and side tracks, to keep the mill in constant operation. If a 
considerable amount of raw material should be required, it can be 
obtained here as cheaply as at any other point in the West. Iron 
ore is abundant within the State, and capital is already largely and 
successfully invested in the manufacture, from the ore, of this, the 
most precious of all metals. 

2. Locomotive Engine Manufactory, with all the incidental 
branches of repairing Locomotives. It is evident, in view of the 
facts noted above, that the establishment of works of this character 
would supply an immense demand that is constantly increasing. 
Four thousand miles of Railroad already completed, with thousands 
of miles of road South and West yet to be built and equipped, 
with equipments involving the expenditure of hundreds of thou- 
sands of dollars annually, would certainly profitably sustain engine 
works of the largest class at this most important railroad centre. 

3. Iron and Car Wheel Manufactory. 

4. Cutlery: Knives, Forks, and Pocket Cutlery. 

5. Steel Manufactory. 

6. Locksmiths; good ones are much needed. 

7. Axe and Scythe Factories. 

8. Wire and Wire Railing. 

9. A general Edge Tool Factory. 

The following are carried on here, some of them largely ; but 
additional capital and labor may be invested with the certainty of 
finding the demand greater than the supply : 

10. Boiler Manufactories. 



WANTS, ANn FACILITIES. 



1 1. Machine Shops, and Steam Engine Works. 

12. Stove and Grate Foundries, and general Castings. 

13. Sheet Iron and Tin Works. 

14. Saw Factories. 



MANUFACTURES OF WOOD, AND WOOD AND IRON. 

IndianapoUs being situated near the western edge of the heavy 
HARD WOOD FORESTS of the Mississippi valley, must become perma- 
nently the seat for the manufacture of articles and implements of 
wood and iron for the prairie markets. They can be manufactured 
more cheaply here than at any other point, West, or East. 

Two hundred and fifty thousand farmers in Indiana, Illinois, 
Missouri, Iowa and Kansas, could be advantageously supplied by 
our manufactories with wagons, carriages, agricultural implements, 
and other articles of which wood and iron are the staples. If these 
branches of industry were carried on here with sufficient capital, em- 
ploying machinery in all the parts where it can be brought to bear, 
there is every reason why the citizens of the great prairie States and 
territories should come to this market for their supplies. The 
timber of Central Indiana is admitted to be better suited to the 
manufacture of the articles mentioned below than it is at any point 
west of Indianapolis. 

1. Car Building, including Trucks, Freight and Passenger 
Cars. A heavy business is already done in this department, but it 
might be profitably and largely extended. 

2. Carriage making, for the Western markets. 

3. Wagon making, common Farm, and Road Wagons, for the 
Western markets. 

4. Plow making, the different varieties of Plows. 

5. Agricultural Implements of all kinds. 

6. Bucket, Tub, Churn and Wooden Ware. 

7. Planing Machines, several are estabhshed here, but there is 
room for more. 

8. Door and Sash Factory, very much needed. 

9. Pump, and Pump and Block makers. 



INniANAPOLIS: ITS MANUFACTUKING INTERESTS, 



10. Lath and general Wood Sawing establishments. 

11. Broom Manufactory. 

12. Brush Manufactory. 

13. Willow Basket Ware. 

14. Cabinet Ware, in all its varieties, for the home and Wes- 
tern markets. 



MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES. 

It is believed that all of the following would become remunera- 
tive as soon as established. The demand for most of them is 
very great, and in many cases our citizens would insure their 
success. 

1 . Cotton Factories. The raw material can be had here on 
easier terms than in many places where Cotton Mills are in suc- 
cessful operation. The demand is sufficient to sustain at least two 
large establishments. 

2. Woolen Factories. Wool can be purchased here cheaper 
than in any place East of this. The value of the wool produced in 
the State last year was $422,000. A great portion of this is sent 
East to a market, and returned to us in fabrics. It would be bet- 
ter to manufacture more of it at home. 

3. Starch Factories. A man with a moderate capital could 
make a profitable investment in this business. The grain of which 
our Starch is made, is much cheaper here than it is in the markets 
where the starch we use is manufactured. 

4. A Rope and Cordage Manufactory. 

5. Paper Mills. A larger number of these could be success- 
fully established. The paper used in this city alone would keep 
two more good mills in successful operation. 

6. Flouring and Saw Mills. An increase of these is absolutely 
necessary. 

7. A Spice and general Grinding Mill. 

8. A Linseed Oil Mill could be handsomely supported, in addi- 
tion to the one now in operation. 

9. A Sugar Refinery. 



WANTS, AND FACILITIES. 



10. Milk, Butter and Cheese Dairies, in the vicinity. 

11. Soap P'actories, both for toilet and common use. An en- 
terprising man could make an easy fortune in Soap. 

12. Potash, Pearlash and Saleratus. 

13. Plumbing could be largely extended. 

14. Silver Ware and Silver Plating. A large business in both 
could be done. 

15. Upholsterers could command a fine business. 

16. A City Bathing Establishment is very desirable. 

17. A City Laundry. 

18. Book Publishing. 

19. Lithographing. 

20. Engravers in Wood and Copper are needed. 

21. Pottery and Stone Ware of all kinds. 

22. Brick, Lumber, Stone and Wood Yards. Additional capi- 
tal invested in building material for sale, would induce much more 
building. 

23. Gun and Pistol Factories. 

24. Harness and Saddle Factories. The demand is greatly in 
excess of the supply. 

25. Type and Stereotype Foundries, and Printing Mate- 
rials. 

26. Lead and White Lead manufactories. 

27. Morocco and Lining Skin Factories. 

28. Lard Oil Mills. There is no better point for establishments 
of this kind. 

29. Star and Stearine Candles. The demand for these is great 
and constantly increasing, and the raw material is cheap and 
abundant. 

30. Boot and Shoe Factories. 

31. Japanned Tin Ware. 

32. Blacking and Ink Factories. 

33. Oil Cloth Factory. 

These additional branches of industry seem to be demanded by 
the present actual wants of our citizens and the adjacent country. 
A number of those mentioned in this list are, it is true, in prooress 
here, but in such cases the necessities of the market demand a 
much larger supply. 



10 INDIANAPOLIS: ITS MANUFACTDBING INTERESTS, 



The concentration, which we are rapidly acquiring, in Indianapo- 
lis, of the production and manufacture of the great leading articles 
in general use, will draw to our City the bulk of the interior trade 
of the West. This will give encouragement to other industrial pur- 
suits ; and mechanics, from the lanes and alleys of densely populated 
cities, will come here to breathe a purer air in our park-like streets, 
and acquire competence and wealth in the Western Metropolis of 
Manufacture and Trade. 

T. B. ELLIOTT, 

W. Y. WILEY, y Committee. 

R. J. GATLING, 



Gentlemen, interested in any of the Manufactures mentioned in 
the above report, are earnestly invited to visit Indianapolis, and 
examine for themselves the advantages offered, in this City, for 
profitable investments. Our business men will gladly extend to 
strangers every facility for acquiring a correct knowledge of the 
condition and prospects of the City. 



WANTS, AND FACILITIES. 11 



O I R O U L ^A. R 



THE BOARD OF TRADE 



CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 



The members of the Board of Trade of the city of iDdianapolis, 
take this method of calling public attention to Indianapolis as a 
manufacturing and business point. Indianapolis, the Capital of 
Indiana, is situated in the midst of one of the most beautiful and 
fertile regions of the West, and is within five miles of the geo- 
grapical centre of the State, and more than one hundred miles from 
any large city. Formerly its position was completely inland ; but 
the completion of the Madison and Indianaj^olis Railroad, in the 
fall of 1847, marked a new era in its history. The population at 
that time was about 4,000, and the town possessed scarcely any 
manufactures or trade. Now her inhabitants number full 24,000, 
and the hum of machinery in her rapidly increasing manufactures 
can be everywhere heard ; eight Railroads terminating at Indiana- 
napolis, comprising 1600 miles of track, have been completed ; and 
a number of others are under contract, which will be completed at 
an early day. Of roads already finished, the Bellefontaine, Cen- 
tral, Cincinnati, and Terre Haute, are parts of the Great Central 
Through Routes, (uniting at this point), from the Eastern Cities to 
St. Louis, now completed, and destined to extend to the Pacific. 
Of the Railroads to our City that are unfinished, those of the great- 



12 INDIANAPOLIS: ITS MANUFACTURING INTERESTS, 



est magnitude are the Indiana and Illinois Central, and the Evans- 
ville and Indianapolis Roads. The former, when completed, will 
open up to Indianapolis an immense additional trade and travel 
from the West and North-West — as far as to St. Joseph, Mo., and 
to Dubuque, Iowa. The latter, when finished, will bring to the 
City a very large additional trade and travel from the South and 
South-West. 

The completion of the above roads, will not only increase the 
business and the proserity of Indianapolis, but will be the means of 
placing our City still more permanently on the great highways of 
the world. Seventeen different Railways, including connections, 
comprising 2,800 miles of track, and having 12,000 miles of con- 
nections, dire^Jtly centre here, making this point the greatest railroad 
centre in the world. They bring all parts of this and neighboring 
States within a few hours' ride of this City, and connect with all 
the important routes of trade and travel in the West. To give the 
reader an iiea of our immense railroad advantages, we need but 
refer him to the Map accompanying this report and sa}^ that the 
citizens of 80 of the 91 Counties in the State, can leave their homes 
in the morning, visit Indianapolis and attend to their business, and 
return the same day. The citizens also, of many of the Counties 
of the adjoining States, can visit Indianapolis and attend to business 
and return the same day. It is estimated that from three to five 
thousand persons visit our city every twenty-four hours, and that 
nearly one hundred different trains pass in and out of the city 
daily. 

Railroads being of recent origin, are revolutionizing inland com- 
merce, and are turning trade and travel from their former channels. 
That which is best calculated to make a city a place of business, is 
quick, cheap, uninterrvpted and ahundant communication, and it is an 
undeniable fact, that Railroads — take them the year round — fur- 
nish the most constant, prompt and reliable modes of internal com- 
munication. It is well known, that during the past winter, when 
the Western Lakes and Rivers were frozen up, and the commerce 
of the towns and cities situated upon them was, for the time, com- 
paratively stagnant, business at Indianapolis was brisk, railroad 
communication to and from the same not being for a single day 
interrupted. Again, in summer, when the Rivers are nearly dry 



WANTS, AND FACILITIES. 13 



and impassable by steamboats, and in winter, when Northern com- 
munication is obstructed from snows and the severity of the climate, 
hundreds of locomotives, night and day, are constantly moving on 
the iron tracks leading to and from our City, making business at 
this point at all times lively and active. Such being the case, who 
can say what this age of steam and of Railroads is not to do for 
our ftivored city? More than two millions of consumers can be 
supplied from this point with goods or manufactured products 
quicker and as cheaply as from any other point in the country; 
such being the manifest fact, it is evident, that Indianapolis is 
destined to become one of the greatest manufacturing and business 
centres of the North-West. 

The different Railroads that centre here, traverse regions unsur- 
passed in agricultural and mineral resources ; and while they afford 
ready facilities for transporting goods and the products of the work- 
shops and factories of this City to those who need them, they also 
supply the means of bringing hither the raw material requisite for 
their production. The admitted principle in political economy, that 
the producer and consumer should be brought as near together as 
possible, must act with increasing force for years to come, in build- 
ing up manufactures here in the very centre of the great producing 
interest of the North-West. No State in the Union with equal 
extent of territory excels Indiana in natural resources. Her rich 
virgin soils, magnificent forests of timber, pure streams of never- 
failing water, together with her inexhaustible beds of coal, iron, 
marble, stone, &c., place her in reliable sources of wealth among 
the very first States of the Union. The City is improving with 
great rapidity. Capital expended in building, invested in real es- 
tate, and in all classes of manufactures, yields large and certain 
returns. As a point at which to pack pork and beef, it possesses 
peculiar advantages. Great inducements for farmers exist in the 
central parts of the State — fine lands being still obtained at very 
reasonable prices. Mechanics of all kinds are much needed, and 
great numbers can obtain immediate employment. White River, 
Fall Creek, and the Central Canal furnish good water power within 
and immediately on the borders of the City, which can be easily and 
successfully employed. Our climate is mild, and our City and coun- 
try healthy. For the reasons above enumerated, we think this place 



14 INDIANAPOLIS: ITS MANDFACTUEING INTERESTS, 



will not only become a great manufacturing point, but must also, 
in consequence of its unrivalled facilities for communication, become 
one of tlie principal commercial and wholesaling cities of the West. 
As a place of residence, it is very desirable, being located on a dry 
and beautiful plain. The whole City is underlaid with the choicest 
gravel, which is used to great advantage in graveling and improv- 
ing the streets. Owing to the porous and gravelly nature of the 
soil, cellars can be dug from twelve to fifteen feet in depth, and re- 
main perfectly dry during all seasons. In this particular Indiana- 
polis far excels Chicago and most other Western Cities. 

The streets of the City are broad, laid out at right angles, and 
are well shaded. The public squares are large, and the City is 
adorned by a number of very fine public buildings. The benevo- 
lent institutions of the State for the insane, deaf and dumb and the 
blind, are located at this place, and are an ornament to the City, 
and to the State which so liberally supports them. 

This place is noted for its magnificent depots, especially for its 
main passenger station, where all the Railroads leading to the City 
connect. It is distinguished for its sobriety, for the prevalence of 
the best social feeling, and the number of its Churches and Sabbath 
Schools, pnd other moral and religious institutions. It has a larger 
portion of children in Sabbath school in proportion to number than 
any other City in the Union. It has a system o^ free graded schools, 
wherein all the youth of the City may obtain a good education ; 
besides these, a number of well conducted High Schools and Col- 
leges exists. 

Other reasons might be mentioned, but we think the importance 
of the matter sufficiently obvious; and we close by earnestly invit- 
ing the reader's aid in developing at this point the resources of the 
giant West. 



OmCERS OP THE BOARD OF TRADE: 

JAMES BLAKE, President. J. H. McKERNAN, Treas. and Col. 

DOUGLAS MAGUIRE,^ y -p^^ T. B. ELLIOTT, Secretary. 
WINSLOW S. PIERCE,^ 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

JOHN S. SPANN, JAMES M. RAY. R. J. GATLING. 

W. R. STEARNS, WM. Y. WILEY. 



WANTS, AND FACILITIES. 15 


BOARD OF MANAGERS. 


G. G. HOLMAN, 


CHARLES PARRY, 


IGNATIUS BROWN, 


T. A. MORRIS, 


D. A. BOHLEN, 


WILLIAM SHEETS, 


E. DUMONT, 


W. J. ELLIOTT, 


A. P. BREWSTER, 


J. R. OSGOOD, 


WM. SULLIVAN, 


R. R. UNDERBILL, 


CHARLES MAYER, 


JOHN H. VAJEN, 


WM. HENDERSON, 


CALVIN FLETCHER, 


ALFRED HARRISON 


A. F. MORRISON, 


A. E. VINTON, 


J. M. TOMLINSON, 


J. BCETTICHER, 


JNO. C. CAMPBELL, 


R. B. DUNCAN, 


THOS. H. SHARPE, 


N. B. PALMER, 


JOHN BLAKE, 


JOHN L. KETCHAM, 


J. HUEY, 


B. R. SULGROVE, 


JOHN CARLISLE, 


JOHN LOVE, 


S. W. DREW, 


W. C. THOMPSON, 


E. W. H. ELLIS, 


J. M. TALBOTT, 


J. B. DILLON, 


HARVEY BATES, 


W. W. ROBERTS, 


R. BROWNING, 


0. H. SMITH, 


T. R. FLETCHER, 


S. T. BOWEN, 


J. K. SHARPE, 


JAS. C. YOHN, 


JAS. GREENE, 


B. S. GOODE, 


J. W. HOLLAND, 


JULIUS NICOLI, 


JOHN S. SPANN, 


JOHN R. ELDER, 




COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. 


W. H. TALBOTT, 


A. J. DANFORTH, 


J. H. MoKERNAN, 


ANDY WALLACE, S 

1 


A. BUELL. 


) 



16 INDIANAPOLIS: ITS MANDFACTUKING INTERESTS, &C, 



RAILROAD ROUTES FROM INDIANAPOLIS. 



RAILROADS TO THE OHIO RIVER. 

From Indianapolis to Cincinnati, via Richmond and Hamilton. 
From Indianapolis to Cincinnati, via Lawrenceburgb. 
From Indianapolis to Madison. 
From Indianapolis to Jeffersonville and Louisville. 
From Indianapolis to New Albany, via Greencastle and Salem. 
From Indianapolis to Evansville, via Terre Haute and Vincennes. 
From Indianapolis to Evansville, (Straight Line R. R.,) in rapid 
progress. 

RAILROADS TO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 

From Indianapolis to Cairo, 111., via 'J'erre Haute and Vincennes. 
Fi'om Indianapolis to St. Louis, via Terre Haute and Vincennes. 
From Indianapolis to St. Louis, via Terre Haute and Alton. 
From Indianapolis to Hannibal, Mo., via Springfield and Decatur, 
(in rapid progress). 

RAILROADS TO THE LAKES. 

From Indianapolis to Chicago, 111., via Lafayette and Michigan City. 
From Indianapolis to Chicago, 111., via Terre Haute. 
From Indianapalis to Toledo, 0., via Peru and Fort Wayne. 
From Indianapolis to Cleveland and Sandusky, 0., via Union and 

Bellefontaine. 
From Indianapolis to Chicago, via Logansport, (in rapid progress). 

OTHER RAILROAD ROUTES. 

From Indianapolis to Pittsburg, via Bellefontaine, 
From Indianapolis to Dayton and Columbus, via Union. 
From Indianapolis to Logansport, via Kokomo. 

Population of Indianapolis at Different Periods. 

In 1840, 2,692.— In 1850, 8,091.— In 1853, 12,000.— In 1855, 
16,000.— In 1857, 24,000— estimated from the Presidential vote. 




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ARKANSAS 




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ARKANSAS 



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